Tuition increases for the current academic year 2017-2018 are history-making for being held to 1.8 percent. The UT Board of Trustees approved the 1.8 percent increase during its June meeting. The increase is the lowest since 1984 and marks three consecutive years of increases at or below 3 percent—a first since the UT system was established in 1968.
“Since we began self-limiting tuition and fee increases in 2015, our goal has been and continues to be keeping college tuition affordable for all Tennesseans,” UT President Joe DiPietro says. “You’ve heard me say this before, but I continue to be proud of our efforts to be a national leader in proactive efforts to hold down tuition increases.”
Fulmer Named Special Advisor
Phillip Fulmer was hired in late June as a special adviser to the president for community, athletics and university relations.
“I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with (Coach Fulmer) on the UT President’s Council, and I look forward to working with him in a broader sense to advocate for the university with our key stakeholders,” UT President Joe DiPietro says.
Fulmer, former UT Knoxville head football coach, has been affiliated with the university for more than 40 years and has volunteered with the university through the UT President’s Council since 2015.
“I look forward to serving UT campuses statewide, our communities and UT athletics for the greater good for our great state and the university,” Fulmer says.
UT Budget Closing Funding Gap
In June, UT President Joe DiPietro announced the success of a two-year set of self-imposed budget restraints, which began in 2015. The budget boundaries were implemented to address a projected $377 million annual funding gap by 2025. The projected gap is now down to be $122 million, thanks to cutting costs and unexpected increases in state appropriations.
The university will continue to plan funding that assumes 3 percent inflation, 3 percent tuition increases and flat state funding. It also will continue to look to cut costs and generate revenue while maintaining its focus on excellence, efficiency, effectiveness and entrepreneurship.
